Mae Clarke
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Mae Clarke (born Violet Mary Klotz; August 16, 1910 – April 29, 1992) was an American actress. She is widely remembered for playing Henry Frankenstein's bride Elizabeth, who is chased by
Boris Karloff William Henry Pratt (23 November 1887 – 2 February 1969), known professionally as Boris Karloff () and occasionally billed as Karloff the Uncanny, was a British actor. His portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in the horror film ''Frankenstei ...
in ''
Frankenstein ''Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus'' is an 1818 Gothic novel written by English author Mary Shelley. ''Frankenstein'' tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a Sapience, sapient Frankenstein's monster, crea ...
'', and for being on the receiving end of
James Cagney James Francis Cagney Jr. (; July 17, 1899March 30, 1986) was an American actor and dancer. On stage and in film, he was known for his consistently energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and deadpan comic timing. He won acclaim and maj ...
's halved grapefruit in '' The Public Enemy''. Both films were released in 1931.


Early life

Mae Clarke was born in Philadelphia. Her father was a theatre organist. She studied dancing as a child and began on stage in
vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment which began in France in the middle of the 19th century. A ''vaudeville'' was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a drama ...
and also worked in night clubs. In 1922, at the age of 12, she marched in the Miss America Pageant Parade on the Atlantic City Boardwalk dressed as a lobster. She returned to the Boardwalk Parade again in 1940 as a featured guest, riding atop a white limousine convertible.


Career

Clarke started her professional career as a dancer in New York City, sharing a room with Barbara Stanwyck. She starred in many films for
Universal Studios Universal Studios may refer to: * Universal Studios, Inc., an American media and entertainment conglomerate ** Universal Pictures, an American film studio ** Universal Studios Lot, a film and television studio complex * Various theme parks operat ...
, including the original screen version of '' The Front Page'' (1931) and the first sound version of ''
Frankenstein ''Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus'' is an 1818 Gothic novel written by English author Mary Shelley. ''Frankenstein'' tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a Sapience, sapient Frankenstein's monster, crea ...
'' (1931), with
Boris Karloff William Henry Pratt (23 November 1887 – 2 February 1969), known professionally as Boris Karloff () and occasionally billed as Karloff the Uncanny, was a British actor. His portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in the horror film ''Frankenstei ...
. Clarke played the role of Elizabeth, Henry Frankenstein's fiancée, who is attacked by the
Monster A monster is a type of imaginary or fictional creature found in literature, folklore, mythology, fiction and religion. They are very often depicted as dangerous and aggressive, with a strange or grotesque appearance that causes Anxiety, terror ...
(Boris Karloff) on her wedding day. '' The Public Enemy'', released that same year, contained one of cinema's more famous (and frequently parodied) scenes, in which James Cagney pushes a half grapefruit into Clarke's face, then goes out to pick up
Jean Harlow Jean Harlow (born Harlean Harlow Carpenter; March 3, 1911 – June 7, 1937) was an American actress. Known for her portrayal of "bad girl" characters, she was the leading sex symbol of the early 1930s and one of the defining figures of the ...
. The film was so popular that it ran 24 hours per day at a movie theatre in
Times Square Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment hub, and Neighborhoods in New York City, neighborhood in the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City. It is formed by the junction of Broadway (Manhattan), ...
upon its initial release; four months after the premiere, ''The Hollywood Reporter'' informed readers that Clarke's ex-husband Lew Brice claimed to have seen the film more than 20 times (and at least twice per week) and that Brice "says he goes to see the scene wherein Mae Clarke gets hit in the eye with a grapefruit—and that it's a plazure!" Clarke appeared as Myra Deauville in the 1931
pre-Code Pre-Code Hollywood was an era in the Cinema of the United States, American film industry that occurred between the widespread adoption of sound in film in the late 1920s and the enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code censorship gui ...
version of ''
Waterloo Bridge Waterloo Bridge () is a road and foot traffic bridge crossing the River Thames in London, between Blackfriars Bridge and Hungerford Bridge and Golden Jubilee Bridges. Its name commemorates the victory of the British, Dutch and Prussians at the ...
''. In the film, she portrays a young American woman who is forced by circumstance into a life of prostitution in World War I London; both the film and Clarke's performance were well received by the critics. Clarke also appeared in the modest
pre-Code Pre-Code Hollywood was an era in the Cinema of the United States, American film industry that occurred between the widespread adoption of sound in film in the late 1920s and the enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code censorship gui ...
Universal film '' Night World'' (1932), with
Lew Ayres Lewis Frederick Ayres III (December 28, 1908 – December 30, 1996) was an American actor whose film and television career spanned 65 years. He is best known for starring as German soldier Paul Bäumer in the film ''All Quiet on the Western Fro ...
, Boris Karloff,
Hedda Hopper Elda Furry (May 2, 1885February 1, 1966), known professionally as Hedda Hopper, was an American gossip columnist and actress. At the height of her influence in the 1940s, more than 35 million people read her columns. A strong supporter of the Hous ...
, and
George Raft George Raft (né Ranft; September 26, 1901 – November 24, 1980) was an American film actor and dancer identified with portrayals of gangsters in crime melodramas of the 1930s and 1940s. A stylish leading man in dozens of movies, Raft is remembe ...
. In 1933, she was the female lead in '' Fast Workers'', John Gilbert's last film as a contracted MGM star, and '' Lady Killer'' with James Cagney and Margaret Lindsay. The same year, she and actor Phillips Holmes were in a single-car accident that left Clarke with a broken jaw and facial scarring. Those injuries, however, did not end her film career, for she remained a leading lady for most of the 1930s. She was, though, increasingly cast in productions with lower budgets that lacked the status of her earlier films. Then, by 1940, Clarke slipped into supporting roles, although she did have a few last leading roles later in the decade, notably as the heroine in the
Republic A republic, based on the Latin phrase ''res publica'' ('public affair' or 'people's affair'), is a State (polity), state in which Power (social and political), political power rests with the public (people), typically through their Representat ...
serial '' King of the Rocket Men'' (1949). In the 1950s and 1960s, Clarke played uncredited bit parts in several notable films, including '' Singin' in the Rain'', '' The Great Caruso'', and '' Thoroughly Modern Millie''. Her last screen appearance was in the 1970 film '' Watermelon Man''. On television, Clarke appeared in many episodic series, including ''
General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera created by Frank and Doris Hursley which has been broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC since April 1, 1963. Originally a half-hour seria ...
'', '' Perry Mason'' and ''
Batman Batman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on M ...
''. Clarke retired in 1970 and taught drama.


Personal life and death

Clarke was married and divorced three times: to
Fanny Brice Fania Borach (October 29, 1891 – May 29, 1951), known professionally as Fanny Brice or Fannie Brice, was an American comedian, Illustrated Songs, illustrated song model, singer, and actress who made many stage, radio, and film appearances. Sh ...
's brother Lew Brice,Goldma
1992, pp. 136-7, 144.
/ref> Stevens Bancroft, and Herbert Langdon. She did not have any children. In later years Clarke resided at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. Clarke died of cancer on April 29, 1992, at age 81. She is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery.


Selected filmography


Features

*'' Big Time'' (1929) - Lily Clark *'' Nix on Dames'' (1929) - Jackie Lee *'' The Fall Guy'' (1930) - Bertha Quinlan *'' The Dancers'' (1930) - Maxine *'' Men on Call'' (1930) - Helen Gordon / Helen Harding *'' The Front Page'' (1931) - Molly Molloy *'' The Public Enemy'' (1931) - Kitty (uncredited) *'' The Good Bad Girl'' (1931) - Marcia Cameron *''
Waterloo Bridge Waterloo Bridge () is a road and foot traffic bridge crossing the River Thames in London, between Blackfriars Bridge and Hungerford Bridge and Golden Jubilee Bridges. Its name commemorates the victory of the British, Dutch and Prussians at the ...
'' (1931) - Myra *'' Reckless Living'' (1931) - Bee *''
Frankenstein ''Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus'' is an 1818 Gothic novel written by English author Mary Shelley. ''Frankenstein'' tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a Sapience, sapient Frankenstein's monster, crea ...
'' (1931) - Elizabeth *'' Three Wise Girls'' (1932) - Gladys Kane *'' The Final Edition'' (1932) - Ann Woodman *'' Impatient Maiden'' (1932) - Ruth Robbins *'' Night World'' (1932) - Ruth Taylor *'' Flaming Gold'' (1932) - Claire Gordon *'' Breach of Promise'' (1932) - Hattie Pugmire *'' The Penguin Pool Murder'' (1932) - Gwen Parker *'' As the Devil Commands'' (1932) - Jane Chase *'' Parole Girl'' (1933) - Sylvia Day *'' Fast Workers'' (1933) - Mary *'' Turn Back the Clock'' (1933) - Mary Gimlet / Mary Wright *'' Penthouse'' (1933) - Mimi Montagne *'' Lady Killer'' (1933) - Myra Gale *'' Nana'' (1934) - Satin *'' This Side of Heaven'' (1934) - Jane Turner *'' Let's Talk It Over'' (1934) - Pat Rockland *'' The Man with Two Faces'' (1934) - Daphne Flowers *'' Silk Hat Kid'' (1935) - Laura Grant *'' The Daring Young Man'' (1935) - Martha Allen *'' Hitch Hike Lady'' (1935) - Judith Martin *'' The House of a Thousand Candles'' (1936) - Carol Vincent *''
Hearts in Bondage ''Hearts in Bondage'' is a 1936 American black-and-white war drama film directed by Lew Ayres for Republic Pictures. Set during the American Civil War, the film depicts the Union Navy's deliberate sinking of , the Confederate States Navy's sa ...
'' (1936) - Constance Jordan *'' Wild Brian Kent'' (1936) - Betty Prentice *'' Hats Off'' (1936) - Jo Allen *''
Great Guy ''Great Guy'' is a 1936 American crime film noir directed by John G. Blystone and starring James Cagney. In the film, an honest inspector for the New York Department of Weights and Measures takes on corrupt merchants and politicians. Plot After ...
'' (1936) - Janet Henry *'' Trouble in Morocco'' (1937) - Linda Lawrence *'' Outlaws of the Orient'' (1937) - Joan Manning *'' Women in War'' (1940) - Gail Halliday *'' Sailors on Leave'' (1941) - Gwen *''
Flying Tigers The First American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Republic of China Air Force, nicknamed the Flying Tigers, was formed to help oppose the Japanese invasion of China. Operating in 1941–1942, it was composed of pilots from the United States Ar ...
'' (1942) - Verna Bales *'' Lady from Chungking'' (1942) - Lavara *'' And Now Tomorrow'' (1944) - Receptionist (uncredited) *'' Here Come the Waves'' (1944) - Ens. Kirk (uncredited) *'' Kitty'' (1945) - Molly *'' Reaching from Heaven'' (1948) - Dorothy Gram *'' Daredevils of the Clouds'' (1948) - Kay Cameron *'' Gun Runner'' (1949) - Kate Diamond *'' Streets of San Francisco'' (1949) - Hazel Logan *'' King of the Rocket Men'' (1949, Serial) - Glenda Thomas *''
The Yellow Cab Man ''The Yellow Cab Man'' is a 1950 American comedy film directed by Jack Donohue and starring Red Skelton, Gloria DeHaven and Edward Arnold. A brief sequence of distorted visual effects in the film is the work of the photographer Weegee, who a ...
'' (1950) - Casualty Company Secretary (uncredited) *''
The Reformer and the Redhead ''The Reformer and the Redhead'' is a 1950 American romantic comedy film written, produced and directed by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank, and starring June Allyson and Dick Powell. Plot Kathleen Maguire is the daughter of a long-time zookeeper ...
'' (1950) - Counter Lady with Change for a Quarter (uncredited) *'' Annie Get Your Gun'' (1950) - Mrs. Adams, Party Guest (uncredited) *'' The Skipper Surprised His Wife'' (1950) - Clubwoman (uncredited) *'' Duchess of Idaho'' (1950) - Betty - Flower Shop Saleslady (uncredited) *'' Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone'' (1950) - Train Passenger (uncredited) *'' Three Guys Named Mike'' (1951) - Convair Passenger (uncredited) *'' Inside Straight'' (1951) - Nurse (uncredited) *''
Mr. Imperium ''Mr. Imperium'' (UK title: ''You Belong to My Heart'') is a 1951 romantic musical drama film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and starring Lana Turner and singer Ezio Pinza. Filmed in Technicolor, it was directed by Don Hartman, who cowrote the s ...
'' (1951) - Minor Role (uncredited) *'' Royal Wedding'' (1951) - Telephone Operator #1 (uncredited) *'' The Great Caruso'' (1951) - Woman (uncredited) *'' The People Against O'Hara'' (1951) - Receptionist (uncredited) *'' The Unknown Man'' (1951) - Stella's Friend (uncredited) *''
Callaway Went Thataway ''Callaway Went Thataway'' is a 1951 American comedy western film starring Fred MacMurray, Dorothy McGuire, and Howard Keel. It was written, directed, and produced by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama. Also known as ''The Star Said No'', it is ...
'' (1951) - Mother on Train (uncredited) *''
Love Is Better Than Ever ''Love Is Better Than Ever'' is a 1952 American romantic comedy film directed by Stanley Donen from a screenplay by Ruth Brooks Flippen, starring Larry Parks and Elizabeth Taylor. The plot concerns a small-town girl who falls in love with a big-c ...
'' (1952) - Mrs. Island (uncredited) *'' Singin' in the Rain'' (1952) - Hairdresser (uncredited) *'' Carbine Williams'' (1952) - Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) *'' Skirts Ahoy!'' (1952) - Miss LaValle (uncredited) *''
Pat and Mike ''Pat and Mike'' is a 1952 American romantic comedy film starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. The movie was written by Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin, and directed by George Cukor. Cukor directed ''The Philadelphia Story (film), The Phil ...
'' (1952) - Golfer (uncredited) *'' Holiday for Sinners'' (1952) - Minor Role (uncredited) *'' Fearless Fagan'' (1952) - Hospital Telephone Operator (uncredited) *'' The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima'' (1952) - Townswoman (uncredited) *'' Horizons West'' (1952) - Mrs. Jane Tarleton *'' Thunderbirds'' (1952) - Mrs. Jones *'' Because of You'' (1952) - Miss Peach / Nurse Peachie *'' Confidentially Connie'' (1953) - Happy Shopper (uncredited) *'' Magnificent Obsession'' (1954) - Mrs. Miller *'' Women's Prison'' (1955) - Matron Saunders *'' Not as a Stranger'' (1955) - Nurse Odell *'' Wichita'' (1955) - Mrs McCoy. *'' I Died a Thousand Times'' (1955) - Mabel Baughman (uncredited) *''
Come Next Spring ''Come Next Spring'' is a 1956 American Trucolor drama film directed by R. G. Springsteen and starring Ann Sheridan, Steve Cochran and Walter Brennan. It was produced and distributed by Republic Pictures. The theme song, "Come Next Spring", with ...
'' (1956) - Myrtle *'' Mohawk'' (1956) - Minikah *'' The Catered Affair'' (1956) - Saleswoman (uncredited) *'' The Desperados Are in Town'' (1956) - Jane Kesh * '' Ride the High Iron'' (1956) - Mrs. Vanders *'' Decision at Sundown'' (1957) *'' Voice in the Mirror'' (1958) - Mrs. Robbins *'' Ask Any Girl'' (1959) - Woman on Train (uncredited) *'' A Big Hand for the Little Lady'' (1966) - Mrs. Craig *'' Thoroughly Modern Millie'' (1967) - Secretary (uncredited) *'' Watermelon Man'' (1970) - Old Woman (uncredited)


Short subjects

*''Screen Snapshots'' (1932, Documentary short) - Herself *''Screen Snapshots Series 16, No. 7'' (1937, Documentary short) - Herself


Notes


References

Bibliography *Cagney, James. ''Cagney by Cagney''. New York: Doubleday, 1976. . *Clarke, Mae. ''Featured Player: An Oral Autobiography of Mae Clarke''; Edited With An Introduction by James Curtis. Santa Barbara: Santa Teresa Press, 1996. . *Goldman, Herbert G. ''Fanny Brice''. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992. . *Halliwell, Leslie. ''Halliwell's Filmgoers Companion'' (Halliwell's Who's Who in the Movies). New York: Collins Reference, 1997. . *Madsen, Axel. ''Stanwyck: A Biography''. New York: HarperCollins, 1994. . Footnotes


Further reading

*Clarke, Mae (April 23, 1948)
"The Unlit Candle"
''The Tidings''. p. 11 *Associated Press (February 21, 1949
"Movie Veteran Picks 'Unconceited' Stars"
''Fort Worth Star-Telegram''. p. 8 *Parsons, Louella (November 16, 1949)
"Inside Hollywood"
''The Hanford Sentinel''. p. 2 *Thomas, Bob (October 27, 1953)
"Screen Cinderella of Thirties in Broke Now; Mae Clarke—Still a Beauty at 42—Longs for a New Career on the Screen"
''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette''. p. 29 *Avrech, Robert J. (August 16, 2017)

Seraphic Secret.


External links

* * *
Mae Clarke
at Virtual History {{DEFAULTSORT:Clarke, Mae American film actresses American television actresses Burials at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery Deaths from cancer in California Actresses from Philadelphia 1910 births 1992 deaths 20th-century American actresses Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract players Warner Bros. contract players Universal Pictures contract players